I suggest a campaign about ...

Access rights in England

Rights to access the English countryside, including waterways, should more closely resemble those of Scotland. The land should be free for all to enjoy and use responsibly, it works in Scotland, it can work min England too.

In Wales we have Tourist bodies being funded by the taxpayer to promote the country as a destination for healthy outdoor pursuits. But if your interest involves swimming or canoeing our beautiful rivers then tough luck - that is in nearly all cases verbotten. Echoing the sentiments of an earlier poster....did my 12yrs risking my neck to defend my country only to find I am banned from accessing large swathes of it. This needs sorting out just as they did in Scotland.

This is a silly state of affairs - paddlers have just as much of a right to use the rivers as the anglers do, so lets reaffirm or right of use over the waterways given to us by nature - NOT given to us by the government...

I think the trouble is that too much finacial gain can be made by selling day tickets for good fishing stretches that the "Landowners" are loath to pass up the income. Government must be made to see that we, the general public, should also be given the right to access this natural resource. I'm even willing to have an increase to my Canoe licence to achieve the same rights as anglers :-)

HELP- 'No Swimming' Views wanted!
Attentiion all posters!- Your comments are really interesting. I'm researching a feature for the Outdoor Swimming Society whose members have encountered lots of spurious 'No Swimming' signs and warnings.
Would be great if I could hear your experiences- you can contact me on sarahcollings@fsmail.netThanks very much for your help!

We have a river running through our village, part of which is adjacent to the county road. People have accessed the river for decades and generations. Recently a local farmer who owns adjacent fields has ordered our children out of the river. There are only a handful of days warm enough for children to go in the river. The local anglers and parish council have no issues with the children swimming in the river from the roadway. Can I challenge this attempted restriction in view of the history of swimming and proximity to public highway? We need to formally free up such areas of river in line with Scotland and other parts of Europe.

Facts:
• Only 2% of rivers in England and Wales have Public access
• The public do not have access along 65, 000 kms of rivers in England and Wales
• Whoever owns the land along the river (the riparian owner) also owns the property rights to the river bed. They don’t own the water itself, only the land it passes over.
• If a river doesn’t have a public right of navigation and you haven’t got consent from the riparian owner, you’re committing trespass by paddling or even wading in it.
• Nearly all the most beautiful inland rivers are not accessible to the public.
• Canoeing is an increasingly popular recreation, and is not socially exclusive
• Canoeing is an affordable means of getting “on the water” for everyone, especially young people, families and the retired.
• Providing greater access to the rivers will enable a healthier and fitter nation as canoeing and other water sports are very much about participation.

Facts:
• Only 2% of rivers in England and Wales have Public access
• The public do not have access along 65, 000 kms of rivers in England and Wales
• Whoever owns the land along the river (the riparian owner) also owns the property rights to the river bed. They don’t own the water itself, only the land it passes over.
• If a river doesn’t have a public right of navigation and you haven’t got consent from the riparian owner, you’re committing trespass by paddling or even wading in it.
• Nearly all the most beautiful inland rivers are not accessible to the public.
• Canoeing is an increasingly popular recreation, and is not socially exclusive
• Canoeing is an affordable means of getting “on the water” for everyone, especially young people, families and the retired.
• Providing greater access to the rivers will enable a healthier and fitter nation as canoeing and other water sports are very much about participation.

when i was in the forces we were told we were fighting for queen and country maybe they should have explained that after we finished we should stay off the best bits because they belong to the rich, perhaps the ones who own so much should go and defend it themselves,as for letting people eat a picnic in my garden what a pathetic comment why dont you come and see the size of my garden then ill take you to the duke of northumberlands GARDEN see if your tiny mind can take in the difference

Canoeing and Kayaking is enjoyed by more than 1,000,000 people, providing a healthy outdoor activity for young people, families and older people. We have 41,000 miles of rivers suitable for canoeing, but only 2% - 4% of our rivers are available to us. I hope you see the benefits of providing a general right of recreational access to rivers within a sustainable and responsible framework such as works so well in Scotland. This would be a very positive step, providing benefits to all who enjoy the countryside.

England and Wales seem alone in Europe and the English speaking world in not having a general right of public access to inland waterways. Currently only 4% of rivers have a clear right of access for canoeists, wild swimmers etc